Salvaged Tank Wagon

Latest rolling stock to leave the workshops.  A salvaged Slaters 14T tank wagon that was purchased cheap off the Bay of E.  Missing lots of parts and was "converted" to a German type tanker.  I added brake gear from my spares box,  and scratch made support straps and the cross wires.  Painted,  and utilized spare transfers to make up a fictional livery for a suitable looking "layout wagon".  Not too bad for $9.

Wagon shunting

#7711 goes about shunting the daily branch goods.  A few more wagons than normal,  business must be surprisingly good.

 Old vs. New.   The GWR Pannier,  state of the art RTR product,  manufactured just a few years ago.  The Fruit van,  scratchbuilt, in the 1970s.  They make quite a contrast.  Both very enjoyable models to have on the railway.    

Weathered ~ LNER Jubilee Coal wagon

 A wagon project completed.  Amazing how much weathering can make a difference,  even with my limited artistic ability.  But hey,  it looks good 2 - 3 feet away,  so it works for me.  

Parkside LNER Jubilee Coal wagon

 Time for another fun wagon project.  For something a little different I decided to build a LNER Jubilee coal wagon,  Parkside Kit #PS01.  I probably had this kit in my stash for the better part of 7 years,  so it's about time.  A straightforward build,  brush painted with Tamiya acrylics.  Awaiting weathering and a removable coal load to be made up.  I only have 1 other LNER wagon currently on the railway so this will make a nice addition. 

"New" Passenger Coach joins BBR stock

 A "new" acquisition for the BBR,  one of those nice Stroudley designed ex-LBSC Brake 3rd coaches by Dapol.  We've had our eye on one of these for awhile.  Colonel Stephens finally gave the approval for funds to be transferred from the mattress to complete the purchase.  We can only hope this extra coach proves so popular, that it will increase patronage of the line.  It was rather in need, as the lease ran out on the S&DJR 6 wheel coach which had to be returned to Highbridge for use on their railway.  Perhaps it will be seen again someday when the S&DJR start up weekly services to Windrush Junction.

Make Mine Mink !

 Make Mine Mink !   Who remembers that old classic film with Mr. Terry Thomas ?  A quick project and a fun one,  weathering one of Minerva Models excellent Great Western Railway Mink Van.   I'm no expert at weathering,  just some simple acrylic washes and chalk powder application.  Certainly tones it down and brings some of the detail to life.   All for now.

Connoisseur Models Saloon Coach Kit

Time for a new project, something a little different.  A coach,  but in etched brass !   I have built a brass kit,  but it's been over 16 years.   If there is one thing true in this scale,  it's that one should start ones journey into etched kit construction with one of Jim's fantastic kits.  The instructions, diagrams and well thought out design of the Connoisseur models range is very well known.

I've wanted to expand my choice of available coaches to form a typical light railway passenger service,  which will mostly be run in the form of mixed trains between Boxer Bay & Windrush Junction,  where passengers will change trains to "God's Wonderful",  or the occasional  S&DJR service.

The kit is PMK.7,  four wheeled Saloon coach,  based on a North Eastern design.  It will of course be lettered for my fictional "Boxer Bay Railway",   Price was £64 plus wheels.  I've already managed to make my first folds & form the tumblehome curve.   Since this is my first brass kit in decades I'll be taking it slow.  Learning & challenges are all part of the enjoyment & satisfaction of model railways.   I hope to construct my first locomotive after this experience.

Prairie out & about

Something a little larger this week,  GWR 45xx Prairie got a run this weekend with the branch goods. Such a lovely model by Dapol.  Hard to believe models this nice are now available in O,  and not much more expensive then some of the OO stuff !  A couple favorite wagons in the mix,  including a scratchbuilt LBSC van from 1977,  and a Peco GWR van which was one of my first kits.

 

MM1 MR 1 Plank wagon completed !

Always nice to finish a project,  especially before the start of another long work week.  Overall the kit was very enjoyable to build.  The axle box castings could've been better,  but I'm very happy with the finished model, great fun.  Now for a load !

Note :  One side is lettered for the LMS,   and the other for the BBR.  Some might raise an eyebrow,  but I do enjoy having my own independent,  fictional railway.  Rule 1 always applies.  

MM1 MR 1 Plank wagon painted

The MR 1 plank wagon,  with it's newly applied fresh coat of paint.  Now for some decals, weathering, and a load.  Great fun to build.  One of the best features of modelling in British O,  the huge variety of kits to choose from.  RTR may well be the future,  but I sure hope these wonderful kits will be around to enjoy.

MM1 MR 1 Plank wagon completed (almost)

 A miserable wet winters day on the Oregon coast,  has at least allowed me time to complete the construction phase of the Midland 1 plank wagon.  Very happy with how it's turned out.  Couple little things could be better, but I'm not a nitpicker.  Now comes some tidying up, painting, lettering & weathering.

MM1 MR 1 Plank wagon progress

 Some more progress has been made on the MM1 Midland Railway single plank wagon kit.  I'm already getting excited about the possibilities for an interesting load.

MM1 Midland Railway 1 Plank wagon

 A new year,  a new wagon project.  It's been quite a while since I've built any rolling stock for the railway,  and I've missed it.  For a Winter project I selected the MM1 models (former JLTRT range I believe) Midland Railway 20' 6" single plank resin / white metal wagon kit,  ref # PWW1.   This kit has been sitting on the shelf for years,  time has come to enjoy it.  I like the variety in goods wagons,  and this ones longer length will break up the string of standard wagon lengths nicely,  plus an opportunity for an interesting load,  perhaps a boiler or a ....... ?  Any ideas leave a comment.   Early days in the build.

GWR 45xx in Steam

Just had to give the Dapol Great Western 45xx a run,  a superb model.  Definitely needs some weathering.  Here she is passing Windrush Junction with a train made up of some of my favorite wagons.

Ex Caledonian / LMS Bolster Wagons in service

Sunday snaps.  A goods train heads from Windrush Junction to Boxer Bay,  including a couple bolster wagons which were recently finished.  They're headed to the docks to pickup some timber from a coastal ship.  A few photos of the highstreet as well,  including a rival motor coach shelter.

Caledonian/LMS Bolster Wagon(s)

 The sibling CR / LMS bolster wagon has been built.  The pair now awaits painting, lettering, weathering,  and loading !  The white metal kits are perfect for this type of wagon,  giving them good weight.  Nice quick kits from Taff Vale Models,  fun to build.

Caledonian/LMS Bolster Wagon

 When time is very limited,  I tend to reach for a quick,  simple project.  A building,  couple figures to paint,  simple layout scenic project,  or a wagon.  One of the nice things about modelling British O scale,  is the vast array of kits available.  Here's my latest build,  a Caledonian Railway / LMS 12 ton Single Bolster wagon kit from Taff Vale Models.  All white metal,  it was a simple quick build which took 2 evenings.  It awaits a trip to the paint shop for finishing.  The white metal gives it good weight,  very smooth running wagon.

Parkside GWR Horsebox

So much for a "quick" wagon kit !  A month later, it's completed.  A really enjoyable kit to build,  very straightforward, typical Parkside.  Work just kept getting in the way.  A favorite wagon type of mine.  The model has been painted with Tamiya acrylics.  I was intending to use my airbrush,  but decided to just slap the paint on with a brush.  Here she is with GWR 48xx Autotank being shunted into the goods yard at Windrush Junction.  My next project will be something in brass,  oooooo,  what could it be ?

A Box for the Horse

I finally had a few hours to get to the workbench.  With spare time limited due to work,  I decided on a "quick" wagon kit, a Parkside - Peco  PS105  GWR Horse Box N13.   

Now mostly built,  just a few final details,  paint,  transfers & weathering to complete.  A fun kit to build,  no surprises.  Quick note of thanks to Peco,  a couple parts sprues were missing,  and they mailed them off asap.  Received in just about a week (in the US !).  Super service.

Sunday Snaps

A couple close-up photos to round off the week.  One of ex MR 1F BBR #8 "Hilda"  getting ready for the day at the Windrush Junction loco shed.  Second photo shows Peco kit built GWR brake van at the end of the branch goods.